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Well it has Dinosaurs...

 .. Unfortunately there's plenty of way less entertaining stuff as well. Dominion suffers more than most from Hollywood's seeming obsession with making even the most vacuous popcorn flicks as long as possible. The plot meanders along in two parts (one for the Jurrasic Park characters, one for the Jurrasic World ones) so that they can come together for what would be the last act if this film actually had structure.


What is the plot that needs so much attention? You guessed it, evil bioengineering company in charge of dinosaurs. Fifth times a charm I guess. Not that the company have learned any lessons themselves, hiring Jeff Goldblums famous genetic sceptic Ian Malcom to talk about how great their genetic program is. Goldblum is the only real bright spot amongst a returning cast that are clearly going through the motions, although newcomer DeWanda Wise adds some spirit to proceedings and really needed more screen time.


The franchise has long teased dinosaurs running amuck in the world at large and there is a little of that here, the highlight bering some unsuspecting cafe goers getting munched, but not enough to freshen up proceedings. It feels as if there aren't enough dinosaurs on screen in general and there really isn't enough imagination on display when they are. There are only so many time you can watch two dinosaurs roar at each other and take turns biting necks until one is thrown to the ground before the encounters feel as stale as the evil corporation plot.


Had Dominion been a trim hour and forty minutes it might have been worth a watch for dinosaur fans (although probably not T-Rex ones) at least but at over two and a half hours it's impossible to recommend taking that much time out your day.


5 sleepy Jeff Goldums out 10.

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